Complex Explosion Development in Mines: Case Study – 2010 Upper Big Branch Mine Explosion<\/p>\n
Scott David, Ph.D., P.E., CFEI
\nDerek Engel, CFEI
\nKees van Wingerden, Ph.D.
\nGexCon, US, USA<\/p>\n
ABSTRACT
\nOn April 5th, 2010 a methane explosion occurred within the Upper Big Branch mine south of Charleston, WV.\u00a0Twenty-nine men lost their lives as a result of a flammable concentration of methane that built up in the enclosed\u00a0space and ignited, resulting in a methane explosion that transitioned into a coal dust explosion. This study used the\u00a0FLACS CFD solver to conduct a detailed explosion analysis to evaluate the complex overpressure development\u00a0throughout the mine as a result of the flammable cloud ignition. As a result of the accident investigation, unique\u00a0explosion patterns were found in the mine where certain \u201cblast indicators\u201d within the mine shafts were deformed in\u00a0such a manner that was inconsistent with the likely flow of the expanding blast wave. The FLACS analysis will\u00a0analyze the explosion dynamics and shed light on the damage observations made after the blast.<\/p>\n
Download the complete paper<\/a> here<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Complex Explosion Development in Mines: Case Study – 2010 Upper Big Branch Mine Explosion Scott David, Ph.D., P.E., CFEI Derek Engel, CFEI Kees van Wingerden, Ph.D. GexCon, US, USA ABSTRACT On April 5th, 2010 a methane explosion occurred within the Upper Big Branch mine south of Charleston, WV.\u00a0Twenty-nine men lost their lives as a result … Continue reading Complex Explosion Development in Mines: Case Study<\/span>